To the world, Gail Halvorsen is remembered as the “Candy Bomber,” Commander, aviator, spacecraft engineer, and scholar. But to Denise Williams, he was “dad.” Since before her father’s death in 2022, Williams and her siblings have faced the task of upholding and carrying on his legacy. As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gail Halvorsen was dedicated to serving his country and sharing his “life lessons learned” with those around him.
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Denise Williams and her late father Gail Halvorsen2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Following World War II, Germany lay in ruins, and animosity towards Germans was widespread. In the midst of this distrust, the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin in June 1948. This led the United Kingdom and United States to initiate the Berlin Airlift to provide resources for the 2.5 million starving Berliners.
Many allied soldiers harbored anger towards Germans, including Gail Halvorsen, who had lost a friend in the war. Unsure how he would respond to seeing the German men at his first delivery, he was surprised when he was received with hands outstretched and tears of gratitude. Williams recalls her father’s words, “it was in that moment that I forgave in my heart all the anger that I had previously had. Why did that happen? How was it possible? It was because we were on the same mission to help save people.” For Halvorsen, the act of uniting to serve those in need made the German people, people again. This interaction inspired the conversation that led to the famous candy drop initiative for which he is so well known.
When asked about their main takeaways from her father’s story, the Williams explained that “it is a story of forgiveness;” Halvorsen’s story “is a gospel story, not just a story about a war hero.” David Williams added that Halvorsen "was a man of Christ, a man of faith, and he reflected the light of Christ into other people’s lives.” Confronting conflicting feelings with a higher purpose of love and compassion represents just a small portion of what can be learned from Gail Halvorsen’s life and the principles he taught.
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Elder and Sister Williams standing in a local Latter-day Saint Chapel in Hannover, Germany2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.In the Book of Mormon, a book of scripture used by Latter-day Saints in addition to the Bible, a leader named King Benjamin gave a sermon to his people and posed the question, “are we not all beggars?” Society often paints a picture of perfection and unrealistic expectations, but at the end of the day, it is human nature to want to be seen and lifted when struggling. In his first interaction with the German people during the Berlin Airlift, Halvorsen saw the Germans as individuals he could help and bless, rather than former enemies. This perspective of compassion and service is the foundation of Halvorsen’s legacy—a legacy that Denise and David Williams have committed to keep alive.
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The Young Adult Gathering Room where the Williams serve in Hannover, Germany2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Calling it her “sacred responsibility,” Denise Williams has taken it upon herself to organise and distribute Halvorsen’s documents and belongings to different historical organisations. She also attends conferences and events where her father once spoke, sharing his story and, more importantly, his legacy of faith and Christlike service. Currently, the Williams are serving as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Hamburg Germany Mission. Because of their new capacity as missionaries, they now use the title of Elder and Sister out of respect for their calling. Stationed in Hannover, the Williams are dedicated to serving the young adult population and assisting in the local congregation, continuing Halvorsen’s mission of service and compassion.
In an individualistic and self-centered world, passing on lessons from those who have gone before is increasingly important. For Elder and Sister Williams, helping the German people is not merely a chapter in family history but a continuation of Halvorsen’s lasting impact. Similar to Jesus Christ, Gail Halvorsen went about his life doing good and serving others. His enduring legacy acts as a powerful reminder to look beyond labels, see and love people as individuals, and remember the question, “are we not all beggars?”